Primary opponent wants GOP Rep. Mica to back permanent earmark ban

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. John Mica's (R-Fla.) opponent in a member-versus-member Republican primary is calling for him to endorse a permanent ban on earmarking in the legislative process.

Mica has frequented lamented the effect a current House ban on earmarks had on his ability to win support for the recent $105 billion surface transportation that was approved by lawmakers.

But his opponent in his bid for reelection, freshman Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), said Wednesday that the earmark ban should be permanent.

"John Mica and other big-spending career politicians are part of the problem in Washington, D.C.," Adams said in an email to supporters. “After requesting $4 billion in earmarks and increasing our nation’s debt by more than $10 trillion over the past 20 years, central Floridians cannot afford John Mica any longer.

"With a nearly $16 trillion debt, it is clear the old way of doing things in Congress just doesn't work for the American people," Adams continued. "I will continue to fight for an earmark ban in the 113th Congress, but the question begs to be asked: Would John Mica?”

Mica and other Republicans in Congress have proudly touted the fact that the highway bill, which was the first new transportation spending approved by Congress since 2005, was passed without the help of earmarks.

"This measure includes historic reforms – cutting red tape and consolidating or eliminating nearly 70 federal programs – all, without earmarks and without raising taxes or deficit spending," Mica said in a email to constituents the day the highway bill was approved by lawmakers.  "The previous transportation law contained over 6,300 earmarks." 

Mica's campaign said Wednesday afternoon that Adams was playing politics with the earmark ban proposal. 

"Congressman Mica will does not participate in campaign stunts, especially with someone who personally requested $129 million in earmarks in the Florida Legislature," Mica campaign spokesman Alan Byrd said in a statement that was provided to The Hill.

Mica is likely in his last term as chairman of the House transportation committee because of a lower chamber rule prohibit lawmakers for serving as committee chairmen or ranking member of a panel for more than six years. 

Mica and Adams are scheduled to square off in a Aug. 14 primary in Florida.

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